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GMAT..start from scratch..

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GMAT..start from scratch..

by saadat » Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:39 am
So after 3 months of prep, including using a reputable test prep school I approached the GMAT in confident mood. I had been prepared and completed my eMBA application early so that I could focus only on the GMAT.
Since I was required to get a score of 600 (due to my skills/experience), I felt confident that I could achieve this...
My practice tests were hovering around the 550-580 mark,so plan was to relax as I entered..

And that it when it happened..faster than you know (well 3.5 hours), I was brought back down to earth with a 510 (5.0 AWA, 5 IR, 28 Ver and 32 Quant)..the vacation that I had booked after the exam became a sombre affair..

I have spent the past month in communication with LBS and although had the opportunity to re-sit within a month, speaking with a prospective recruiter was informed that a 600 would not be good enough for the top tier strategy firms. As a result I have paused, I have reflected that although it would be feasible to get a 700 by January admission (4 months time). I would not want to be in the same position, so therefore have decided to postpone for 1 year. Reading many of the comments on those who have undertaken their journey to the 700 club in 6+months, I am keen to find out what sort of study plan they followed. I will look at everything with a fresh pair of eyes, and not leave anything for granted, and would be keen to hear of advice..I know those who study for the GMAT in 3 months suggest 15 hours a week, but is this sustainable for 8 months?

Looking for advice/tips as I began my journey from scratch..
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by Santhanalakshmi » Wed Jul 17, 2013 1:32 am
Hello saadat, firstly don't lose hope. if you want to really beat the gmat, then should fight till the end and never lose your heart or hope.


Always aim for the Moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

1. if you need to get into top tier universities you definitely need to have a good score or at least you need to achieve average GMAT score which is given by almost all the schools.

2. Do not solely rely on your practice test scores. I've heard many people say this and indeed it's true. These tests are there to practice,to keep tab on time, to learn from mistakes, to examine yourself if you can solve them or if you know the "principles" that are required to solve them.

3. if you need a 700+, then during practice exams you need to get more than 700.


see if this study plan works for you.. I hope you have Manhattan GMAT books+ kaplan books + OG + powerscore bibles with you...

Week-1.

1.Since you're working, try to spend at least 2-3 hours during weekdays.
2.For the first month, let your goal be all about building your math and verbal foundations.
3.Learn the principles of at least on chapter a day on both math and verbal.
4.Make flashcards of principles that are new for you.
5.If possible, review these flashcards frequently or at least try to review them once the next morning. Doing this will help you to build your foundation strong.
6.during weekends, spend 4-6 hours.you can sit and go through everything that you've learnt in the past one week + plan for the next week. write down the name of the chapters you that you are going to learn for the coming week..



Week 2-3 (follow week 1's plan)



Week-4 to week-12

1. Now you know your basics and you are ready to practice. (DO NOT USE OG FOR RANDOM PRACTICE, SAVE IT AND USE IT LATER ONCE YOU ARE DONE WITH YOUR Manhattan GMAT and Kaplan books)

2. during weekdays make sure to practice at least one quants topic and try to solve them by yourself without seeing answers. if you really can't, then look for explanatory answers and maintain error log.

https://www.beatthegmat.com/error-log-t4180.html (an example of how an error log looks like)

3. you can alternatively practice quants and verbal during the weekdays and weekends for the next three months. during sundays try to recollect what you've learnt and review the flashcards you've made for the week.

4.By the end of the third month, you should be done with your MGMAT and kaplan books.



Week 13- week 20:

1. Now it's time for OGs' and prep tests..Try to solve under 2 mins time period.

2. Follow the same 2-3, 4-6 hours duration and start solving the OG questions..

3. Maintain error logs https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-practic ... s-t68.html

4. During sundays take one MGMAT test or prep test and record your scores.

5. After each test try to find out your weak areas and work on them..

6. try to solve all 900 questions and take all diagnostic tests that's available out there.



This is a 5 months plan and by the end of the 5th month you'll be ready to take GMAT once again.
You can also take a month's time after the 5th month to workout a bit more on your weaker areas and schedule your exam on the beginning of the 7th month and beatthegmat! :)

Hope this plan works. I'm not an expert and I haven't taken my GMAT yet. I made this plan after reading so many stories here and I'm following this plan.

Quick Tips for Your Study

Consider the following when building your GMAT prep strategy. I've rolled up these notes from my studies and from the experiences of the hundreds of test takers I've had contact with since the start of my own GMAT journey:

Once you've created a study plan, stick to it. You will get results through discipline!
Review all material with a pen and paper in hand. Most strategy guides are packed with information that you should carefully digest, so take notes. You should also consider making some flashcards for important concepts. You can download an set of free GMAT Flashcards from Beat The GMAT as a model for your own flashcards
Keep an error log. Error logs are great for reviewing your performance and tracking your improvements
Always time your practice. Even if you're at the early stages of your prep, time yourself. As you progress, try to impose realistic time limits for solving a given question (about 90 seconds per question), it will help you build a solid instinct for pacing
Get a thorough review of GMAT concepts prior to prepping with Official Guide material. The Official Guide for GMAT Review series is extremely valuable since it features real (but retired) test questions. Be sure you have a basic foundation on the test prior to going through these practice questions
Take practice tests under simulated conditions. If possible, try to take your practice tests at the same hour of the day you would take your actual GMAT. Also, try to mimic the environment of a testing center. I personally enjoyed taking practice tests in a lightly trafficked area of a library to get used to the ambient noise
If you get a question wrong, make sure you review it properly. You must understand why the correct answer choice is right and why all the rest are wrong. This exercise will help you avoid future mistakes!
If you were unsure about a question but guessed correctly, review it as if you got it wrong. Maybe you got lucky this time around, but you may not be so lucky on test day
Know when to guess and move along. You must answer all questions on the GMAT. You will be heavily penalized for not answering a question, so pace yourself well
In the last few days before the GMAT, ramp down your prep. Your body needs lots of rest for this 3+ hour test. Eat well and get some sleep!


I'm following these tips, so I copy-pasted it for you here.

Good luck! Lemme know if this helped you!
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by saadat » Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:40 am
Thanks Santhanalakshmi. Really useful post. Yes I am not disheartened, just was probably a bit unprepared!

I think my first month will be key, as most of the quant concepts I understand..just poor execution. However ironically, given that English is my first language, my verbal is weaker.

I will need to look at the sentence correction section first I think, as I will have to go back to the fundamentals of english grammar. Any books you are looking at?
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by Santhanalakshmi » Fri Jul 26, 2013 9:59 am
Hello Saadat, sorry for the delayed reply. I just happened to see your message.. Even people who are native speakers have their own struggle when it comes to verbal. :)

As far as grammar is concerned, I would suggest to get a copy of Wren and Martin. It'll be useful to brush up your grammar concepts.

And hey, try to buy a copy of Aristotle SC.. I read reviews about it on Amazon and decided to buy all Aristotle books. I heard that they are widely used by people who struggle with basics too..

Hope this helps. :)
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